calypso

February 17, 2014

Hi Everyone!
I am so excited to start this year off at the Blend Fabrics blog with a free project tutorial I designed featuring my Topiary Fabric Collection - a Topiary Table Topper.

When Blend asked me to think about what projects I would like to feature using Topiary...
I wanted to make sure I created something evocative of a garden... A Dresden-style garden gate design was top of my list...

...complete with quilted grass and yo-yo flowers (although I did include a circle shape template for all you non-yo-yo enthusiasts).

I used some of my favorite prints from the collection - the wrought-iron garden furniture, the beautiful espalier & orchard vines and (of course) the fabulous topiary patterns.

The project is not very big - only 25" in diameter and you can download a printable copy of the instructions (templates and all) HERE.
Make sure you save your scraps because I have some fun new patterns planned for this line... Here are some sneak peeks...

You will see more details about these upcoming patterns on my blog in the next few weeks as well as information of what Topiary SKU's I'll be using for my new version of the Sundance Sampler available through BERNINA dealers.

February 4, 2014

Blend Fabrics artist Ana Davis has already had a busy 2014! She's premiering 11 new patterns for apparel and home décor, is set to release her new Clementine fabric collection this month and just welcomed a beautiful baby boy.

The Ana Davis Designs pattern collection just made its debut on The Fat Quarter Shop, and contains everything from aprons to adorable pillows. Click here to see them all!

“I have always loved to sew and design clothing. As a small child, rather than playing with my dolls, I inevitably ended up sewing and knitting them clothing. Now I am happy to say my excitement about sewing and designing apparel and crafts has an updated, and more useful, application,” Ana said, “And using my own fabric collections to design the sewing patterns is an incomparable inspiration. If my childhood self had only known how lucky I would be!”

Ana’s new fabric collection, Clementine, is also set to arrive this month. The line features fresh-picked fruit scattered about a colorful orchard of pretty paisleys and blossoms. Orange, green, citron and sky blue hues adorn pots, pans and silverware for a unique charm from farm to table. This delightful collection is ideal for culinary accessories such as dish towels, aprons, pot holders and more.

August 2, 2013

Double double toil and trouble! This week we've got a double dose of festive children's fashion for you from our Spooktacular Collection by Maude Asbury.

These delightful dress patterns were created by our friend Lawren Galloway of O So Snooty (who you will be seeing more from very soon!), and are being modeled by Saylor (left) and Lily Grace (right).

We don't know what's more adorable, the dresses or the models!

To find the Spooktacular Collection and many more go to www.blendfabrics.com to find a store near you. And, as always, don't forget to like us on Facebook and post all your Blend Fabrics project photos.

July 11, 2013

Our friend Lawren Galloway of O So Snooty created three darling children's dresses using the six frightfully festive novelty prints in our Spooktaulcar Collection by Maude Asbury. This holiday-chic dress highlights the Scaredy Cat and Distressed Dot patterns from the line, with a Pumpkintopia waistband and Gone Batty Ruffles.

As if it's not adorable enough from the front, check out the back...

We love how the pumpkin fabric comes together in a giant bow against the subtle orange dots. It's a Hallows' Eve ensemble that's to "die" for!

The photos were taken at the Pirate's House in Historic Savannah, Georgia (how apropos!) by Golden Exposure, and the dress pattern is an O So Snooty original.

We'll preview Lawren's other two Spooktacular dresses here on the blog next week, but in the meantime be sure to check out her Etsy site!

December 10, 2012

Blend artist Charlotte Lyons is our collector. She keeps coasters, trinkets, old fabric and then she weaves a fabric story that instantly transports you. The Tilly collection is no exception. From the Posy Gingham fabric that looks like it cam right off an antique kitchen table to the Tilly Alphabet which looks so much like the buttons and zigzag stitches and squares are added to the fabric instead of being part of the fabric.

And finished projects using Tilly are instant handmade keepsakes. Blogger Amy Friend from DuringQuiet Time played with the fabric and created a charming pincushion and bag. What could be more fun than storing you handcrafting supplies in a bag that looks like it was handcrafted!

And here are beautiful creations form Charlotte Lyons!!

To celebrate handcrafts and handmade projects, the Anna Griffin blog http://www.annagriffin.com/content/annas-blog is giving away a fat quarter bundle of Tilly. To qualify post a comment to this blog by 9:00 p.m. EST, Dec.12 and share your fondest crafting memory. Bonus points for cross-stitching and handcrafts!!

December 5, 2012

So many fabulous projects and so many fabulous people to thank. Where to start....

How about pillows... I need to first thank Darcy from www.moderncozy.com (who also happens to be based right here in Atlanta) for making all the solid fabric pillows (and drawstring bags - which I will get to a little further down)... She is an absolute life-saver!!
The top pillow, the Cathedral Window below was made by Tiffany with our Bella collection - You can find more of these fabulous pillows as well as much more on Tiffany's Etsy shop - warmnfuzzies.
The next 2 pillows - the zig-zag pattern with from Blomma and the fan pattern made with Anna Griffin's Chinoiserie collection were done by Amy from www.duringquiettime.blogspot.comNext up... Bags!! We had so many & are so happy with how they are turned. Huge thank yous go to all the fabulous designers who created them for us, our fabrics and for our booth!

Mother & daughter dynamic duo Clara & Jennie from Clover & Violet created the bags for us above using their 3 of their fabulous patterns. From left to right... The Madeline Bag featuring Animal Parade, the Libby Bag featuring Bella and the Claire Bag featuring Global Bazaar.

When searching for the best projects to show-off our fabrics & make for market - Etsy is my best friend!! I found some of the most talented people willing to help... Kathi from Sisung-Callura Designs is one of them. She has so many wonderful bags in her Etsy shop... You definitely need to check it out!! Here are a few of her designs... The duffel bag and tote (on the left ) featuring Bugs and the beach tote featuring Blomma.

And finally the softies... Everyone always loves the softies and who could blame them especially after seeing these...

The plush foxes featuring Timber & Leaf were created and made by April from I Sew Lucky - Her Etsy shop carries fabulous plush animals & dolls as well as this same characters as book ends.

Hans, Greta, and Ruthie Bear not too mention the adorable fruit pin cushions (featuring Bugs, Hope Chest, Gabbie and Anna Griffin's Juliet collections) are all the fabulous creation of Kim from Retro-mama. This is our second market featuring Kim and her softies... She has been a great partner to us and I really look forward to working with her more in the future!!

The next 2 softies and their creator were a fabulous find for us. Jill from the Etsy shop Love Jill contacted us about making a skirt & the next thing she knows she is making Piper & Sprouts (the giraffe & elephant & yes that was plural) and the bug softies (plus a fabulous snake that is not pictured). You can find the Piper & Sprout patterns in her Etsy shop plus so much more...

There were so many other wonderful projects & I could go on forever... I do want to everyone again for all their help!! If anyone is looking for a specific project from this blog or our other market post just drop us a line & we would be thrilled to get you in touch with the designer. Cheers!!

November 26, 2012

Fall Quilt Market was this past October in Houston... Between Blend and Anna Griffin, we introduced 11 new collections with over 100 fabric options. Seems like we spend months and months preparing and it is over like that! Dozens of quilts and projects were designed and made and displayed in our booth and I wanted to share some pictures as well as the fabulous people who helped along the way...

Here is our booth!! It looked beautiful with the ivory and white walls and carpet that really helped set-off all the collections. We had 2 quilts for every collections (one is the free project that can be downloaded from our websites), 2 tables full of fabulous projects and 6 dress forms showing off some beautiful little girl's dresses.

What did I tell you... months and months of preparation!! Now let's get back to those dresses...

People oohhh'ed and aahhh'ed over them - They were a huge hit and I need to give credit where credit is due...

These beautiful dresses were designed &/or made by some very talented ladies...

Besides these fabulous dresses we had so many other wonderful projects to showcase our fabric... From bags to softies to pillows - a little something for everyone!! Here is a sneak peek at the projects... Stay tuned for my next post and find where you can get yours... Cheers!